Just curious if anyone has had any problems with stolen cameras, and if so, did you come up with any clever ways to catch them. Already thinking of setting up a decoy camera and trying to hide another one to catch them in the act. The problem is A: I don't want to get any more stolen, B: it's a clear cut so there it will be difficult to hide another camera within sight of the decoy camera. So furious atm.
Been running cameras for 15 years. Stolen cameras part of the game. We have had many cameras with the sims cards missing. Thieves will always be thieves. Like gambling don't play with more than you can lose. The anti theft boxes a joke. A small sledge hammer beats them all. A second secretive camera watching the first may get you a suspect. He'll be a neighbor that's been trespassing for years.
Use a ladder to set camera's high enough to not be able to reach.
I set one up on a public road today, just to see who is driving by camp, it will be gone by Monday!
If had them stolen and or cards missing. I've heard of people using apple airtags to track them but that could be another can of worms. My play is not using my best cams in spots where the potential of getting stolen happen. Also, I bring one full size climbing stick to set them higher and out of reach. I don't use straps but screw in camera mounts. Natchez usually has ridiculous sales on trail cams. I've bought $200 cameras for 40 bucks and use them as my burner cams.
I think I paid $28 from Amazon for one that's watching a strut zone now. I test it first by our back yard bird feeder. If it doesn't work back it goes. We hunt an active cattle ranch. Cows love to lick them. We can get some unusual photos. Lol.
Joey, I have an elitist solution that you will appreciate. It's fool proof and no one can ever steal your cameras again: don't use them. :icon_thumright::love5:
Is "bite me" permissible on this forum? If so guess what the next sentence will say? LOL.
BTW - the $28 amazon camera now up to $29.60. Better jump on them. At that price they are disposable.
Double BTW - as usual no profile info. No State. No age. No email. No surprise.
At least we know you may speak English :z-guntootsmiley:
I work in retail selling trail cams and I sell a lot to customers who have to replace the stolen ones. I use the steal security boxes from TrailcamPro or camlockbox.com. They fit cameras like gloves and have holes in the back plate for securing to trees with lag bolts. I run a Master lock Python cable security cable through each box/camera. I have never had one stolen yet. It's worth the extra $$ and I can sleep at night. If they want my camera, then they will need a chainsaw...
We'll look into the boxes you mention. On public WMAs drilling lag bolts would be frowned upon. The 3 we're running now are on private and that wouldn't be a problem. Would they accommodate the high antennas such as on the Spypoints? Thanks.
Since I only place cameras on private land I hunt, I've yet to have one stolen. I have had some memory cards stolen, which is weird to me. I guess the neighbor slipped over and wanted to not be see ? I'm guessing
Bet you are 100% correct about the neighbors or someone you would recognize.
I'm gonna tell you a million dollar idea , and I've had it for years ...dont worry about the camera someone should make a device that records gobbles...distance...and direction
The tech is out there , they just need someone to put all together
I saw a documentary on a turkey study that I think Mississippi State did and they had a device that recorded gobbles as part of the project. I can't remember the details.
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They are called autonomous recording units ARU's and pick up on the direct frequency of the gobble within 300 or so meters I believe. University of Auburn was doing the study along with Mr. Chamberlain from UGA if I remember correctly
I know somebody that put out some film cameras where they could be seen and then in a less obvious place put some cell ones looking at the cheaper ones, they were able to catch the person with the hidden ones which they had looking down from on a tree. Hope this helps.
Air
Tag.
I don't use cameras, but I don't have any serious issues with them either. It's fun to see what they pick up. I know a guy who is a habitual trespasser and I heard him say he hates those darn cameras and wish they'd never been invented. To me that makes them worth buying if they make trespassers nervous. I don't know if a trail camera is proof enough for a ticket from the game warden, but it certainly is enough to open a conversation. I guess I am just to tight with my limited cash to buy any and risk them being stolen. I have hunted for 60 years without them and I doubt they'd change my success much if any. I can see where they are more valuable for deer hunters than turkey, but still we all killed our deer before them. Does this fall into the category of catching the hunter (or his cash) more than it is catching the game? Oh yeah, that trespasser said he takes the cards from everyone he can, but he really hates the cell phone ones, because it's too late once he approaches the camera. I don't trespass but other people often put cameras up on farms I have permission to hunt or even public land. I don't like having my picture taken on them, because I feel like it's snooping on me and an invasion of my privacy. A friend told me once he saw me on his camera and told me, "you know I been watching a big buck at that spot and your probably spooking him off". This really kind of P.O.ed me, as it was my family's land and I had gotten him permission to hunt as a guest! That's my only negative I guess....
Yes, to the answer question for Joey 46...the boxes accommodate antennas. Tell them what model of camera
Thanks
Btw - my friend's cell phone camera recently recorded a chronic trespasser. Turned over to FWC. Results will follow when I hear something. Some places now have so many cameras lurking I double check before peeing. Lol
I've never believed in them...I might put a couple out to see if anyone is trespassing or not...
Cant you buy ones that when triggered they send pictures directly to your phone so you would see who is stealing your camera right when its happening? If i ever buy a couple thats the ones id want...
I've been buying the Browning Defender cams and have no complaints. They have a built in antenna, use Verizon or AT&T, and have GPS theft protection. Pics go immediately to my phone app. I got one off eBay last week for $55. They have several different models but I haven't paid over 70 for a cell cam.
I use to run cameras all the time for deer hunting. I actually use to build them myself. I slowly got away from building them and using them. It was nice to see the deer and different wildlife. When I would get a good buck on camera, I would maybe get a several pics of him and never see him again. I have never shot a good buck that I saw on camera.
I like the idea of the cell cams. They would save me a lot time and gas checking them. I have about a 45 minute drive to where I hunt. The only issue with them would be I have terrible to almost non-existent cell service when I'm in the timber. If I'm in the timber, making a phone call can be iffy. My buddy can text me from a mile away and I more than likely won't get it until I get back to the truck, if even then. When I'm at the truck, I can for the most part make a phone call, but sending a text message is very hit or miss.
The woods are a peaceful sanctuary for us hunters. A way to get away from the "real world" if only for an all too brief time. Using modern tech devices and cameras is unnecessary(especially for turkeys) and if I'm being honest kind of lame, certainly nothing to be proud of. I had a loser or two put cameras on my land more than once. They probably think I stole their cameras. The woods is really no place for technology...ok a cell phone for pictures and safety but that's about it for me.
Just for the record if anyone other than a landowner or agent thereof tampers with another's camera they are a THIEF/VANDAL plain and simple. Enough said.
I found a unknown trespasser's camera and stand on my M.I.L. and I made a small sign that said your trespassing please remove your stand and camera and stood in front of it. The sign also had my number and said "or you can call me and we'll discuss it with the game warden". Everything was gone the next day.
The county game warden tells landowners to leave a note and give it a week then take the camera, stand or any other fixture and if anyone complains call him. My family and friends have acquired a few stands, cameras and blinds over the years. I always leave a note you can get your stuff by calling this number and no one ever calls. They 100% know they are trespassing and are willing to gamble.
Best thing to prevent stolen cameras imo is not use one. I've never had one stolen yet. Involve yourself in the sport. Attend the event
You know that really makes no sense?
If you are the landowner or their representative then do as you wish. If you aren't and the camera was in place legally then leave it the "fxxx alone". If a secondary camera of ours catches you screwing with ours you will be a THIEF publicly, criminally and civally. Consider this the same as the nitwits who thought that letting the air of tires on public parking areas was okay if they were there first.
Sport hunting is supposed to be sporting and anything electronic disconnects us from the sport. Less involved we are in our personal success. It becomes more about a dead animal and less about the experience or the way we harvested that animal. Makes not much sense to me someone things otherwise.
This forum REALLY needs an "Elitist Section". You can't even guess how tickled I am that "elitist" has obviously struck a nerve with some.
Some of these threads should be required reading before considering joining the forum.
Quote from: eggshell on April 01, 2024, 07:29:20 AM
I found an unknown trespasser's camera and stand on my M.I.L. and I made a small sign that said your trespassing please remove your stand and camera and stood in front of it. The sign also had my number and said "or you can call me and we'll discuss it with the game warden". Everything was gone the next
This is a good idea, I will try this approach next time
Quote from: RiverBuck on April 01, 2024, 09:22:07 AM
Some of these threads should be required reading before considering joining the forum.
Yes they should. They would realize not everyone wants to sit around the campfire and cry about YouTube and social media. Some do realize the days when buffalo were seen horizon to horizon and a gobbler was strutting behind every tree are long in the past. Some will ADAPT, continue to hunt, and enjoy the experience.
Quote from: joey46 on April 01, 2024, 06:19:31 PM
Quote from: RiverBuck on April 01, 2024, 09:22:07 AM
Some of these threads should be required reading before considering joining the forum.
Yes they should. They would realize not everyone wants to sit around the campfire and cry about YouTube and social media. Some do realize the days when buffalo were seen horizon to horizon and a gobbler was strutting behind every tree are long in the past. Some will ADAPT, continue to hunt, and enjoy the experience.
They should be required reading, agreed
Quote from: Bowguy on April 01, 2024, 08:58:10 AM
Sport hunting is supposed to be sporting and anything electronic disconnects us from the sport. Less involved we are in our personal success. It becomes more about a dead animal and less about the experience or the way we harvested that animal. Makes not much sense to me someone things otherwise.
Yes absolutely, there are different stages in a hunter's life. The final stages are usually not about kill numbers and slams and trophies. But that mentality or understanding is earned through many seasons.
Always enjoy the phoney Elitist replies. We're here to kill turkeys not be the socially acceptable forum cool guy . Hunt legally. Leave everyone else alone.
I'm a cattle farmer in the foothills of Virginia. I run about 30 cameras on a relatively large tract that consists of my farm and my neighbors. The cameras I use are mainly for deer management but also have helped with cattle issues, coyotes, bears, fox, trespassers, lost dogs, and lastly turkey. I don't put cameras out for turkey, turkey pics are an accident.
I'm glad the elitist turkey hunters have found a few like minded from this forum but don't kid yourself, putting turkey on a pedestal is not real world perspective. I am 100% hopelessly addicted to hunting turkey, collecting calls, and being in the Spring woods targeting them but the things I read from a certain group on here make me laugh regarding the most unintelligent animal in the woods. What I enjoy even more is reading some of these threads where the elite try an out elite the most elite.
You want to help turkey? Start trapping, shoot coyotes 365 days a year, and work on turkey habitat.
I've refrained from posting many times bc this forum is full of egotistical smart a**es that feel they are better than everyone else. I simply made a post hoping to gain a little insight on how others handled a similar situation. If you don't have any positive or valuable input just stay busy patting yourselves on the back on the back and stroking your ego while felling holier than thou instead of projecting your "excellence" on ppl. This is a new lease (mainly a mismanaged clear cut with a few overgrown drains) that has little to no turkeys on it and I wanted some confidence that were at least a few birds passing thru so I could enjoy doing what I love to do instead of wasting my time off on ghosts. If a few pictures gets your panties in a wad then I feel sorry for the few ppl that endure your presence.
This is no longer a forum for the faint of heart. Live with it or punt.
It's forth down and twenty five. PUNT .
Pick a team = The Elitist Whiners
Or
The Forum Realist
Quote from: joey46 on April 01, 2024, 08:39:49 PM
This is no longer a forum for the faint of heart. Live with it or punt.
It's forth down and twenty five. PUNT .
Pick a team = The Elitist Whiners
Or
The Forum Realist
Choose wisely. Don't want to be a nitwit Elitist.
Btw - more forum fun than I've had for a long time. lol
Quote from: joey46 on April 01, 2024, 09:25:52 PM
Quote from: joey46 on April 01, 2024, 08:39:49 PM
This is no longer a forum for the faint of heart. Live with it or punt.
It's forth down and twenty five. PUNT .
Pick a team = The Elitist Whiners
Or
The Forum Realist
Choose wisely. Don't want to be a nitwit Elitist.
Btw - more forum fun than I've had for a long time. lol
Joey, you just quoted yourself! If that isn't the act of an elitist I don't know what is! lol!! :TooFunny:
Quote from: eggshell on April 01, 2024, 07:29:20 AM
I found a unknown trespasser's camera and stand on my M.I.L. and I made a small sign that said your trespassing please remove your stand and camera and stood in front of it. The sign also had my number and said "or you can call me and we'll discuss it with the game warden". Everything was gone the next day.
The county game warden tells landowners to leave a note and give it a week then take the camera, stand or any other fixture and if anyone complains call him. My family and friends have acquired a few stands, cameras and blinds over the years. I always leave a note you can get your stuff by calling this number and no one ever calls. They 100% know they are trespassing and are willing to gamble.
Not always, I had set up on an area I thought I was allowed to hunt because the one person who's land I was hunting and currently hunt had had a stand there so I thought it was their land. Had a guy who watches both properties come up and yell "Hello in the blind" I figured it was a DEC agent so I yelled out "Hold on, let me clear the chamber" and exited the blind, the guy politely informed me I was not in the land I thought I was on and I asked him if I could finish the day, he said he could not say yes to that so I took down my blind, cleared my stuff out and left and go ahold of the peoples land I was hunting to clarify the boundaries. I now have Basemap on my phone and pay the extra to see all the property information. I only had a cheap flip phone at the time so I did not have that ability at the time.
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Up here in New York Trail Cameras are everywhere on Public. Seemingly- you can't take a Piss without your Formed being snapped- lol. I don't care- as long as it does not end up on Facebook.
A good 5 years back,I found a Brand New expensive looking Trail Camera in Mid April as ,I was Scouting for the New York Spring Turkey Opener. I figured-- THIS is the spot to set up Beautiful open bottom next to a Pond with a bunch of Loud Bullfrogs.
Sure enough,I killed 2 Gobblers and Cynthia killed 1 within feet of that Camera. One morning before,I killed one,I had to shine my Flashlight on and off quick a few times as a Turkey Hunter was starting to Lumber down slowly. He left- but was not Happy. Kept looking back down at me.
The owner of that Expensive Trail Camera? Probably. His Personal spot claimed-- Hell No!
I wave to other's cameras all the time on WMAs. Part of the fun.
I have followed this thread and thought a lot about the discussion. After thinking about it I realized the number one reason I don't use cameras is I don't want to spend the money, I don't need another expense. I am not sure a camera would help me bag a gobbler or not. I have hunted the same properties for 52 years and I know where I will find birds from year to year. Myself or family lives on all this land and we watch the turkeys and deer all year long. It has nothing to do with old school, elitism or whatever, I just don't need to spend the money on an item that will tell me very little about where to hunt. When it comes to going to new areas I actually enjoy exploring them and figuring them out from scratch. Now I enjoy seeing pictures from others cameras and what wildlife is out there. The most interesting part of game cameras is seeing the unexpected, like I saw my first Bobcat in our area on a neighbor's game cam. Personally, my preference is to scout in person. I like walking the woods and reading sign and seeing for myself. I learn and see so much more that way. I realize some live a considerable distance from their hunting area and don't have the time to spend on the land. A camera probably is an advantage to those people, but hey hunters were killing game way before all this tech was even imagined. It also takes time to setup an monitor these cameras. Put me in the lazy old tight wad category, I ain't spending the money or the effort to run cameras and then discover some bum stole them. I will just wake up opening morning and go hunting. That has worked for me over 52 years so I think I'll just stay status quo.
I am not a "serious" trail cam user but I have put cameras in a few locations over the last several years, mostly at water holes in the desert just to see what kinds of critters were watering there. The one camera I had at a very accessible location close to a road was stolen after a few months. After that, I moved the other couple of cameras I had to more remote locations and/or less conspicuous spots. As it relates to turkey hunting, I have never set cameras with any intent to scout for turkeys.
Regarding the "peripheral" discussions going on about trail cams, my only "unwavering" objection to the use of trail cameras is the use of cameras transmitting "real time" information to a device such that a hunter can then use that information to try to kill an animal that is currently hanging around the camera location. I am pretty certain that is illegal here...and I would certainly hope it is illegal everywhere, whether on public or private property. Without question, it is unethical...regardless of its legality.
I don't have a solution, but I always get a chuckle when I see a cam thread.
A few years ago, I get a call from my neighbor. He is laughing and says, "you're going to get more than you bargained for on your camera". I said, "what camera?". Him, "the camera behind my house". "I don't have a camera back there." Neighbor: "well that's good, cuz I was back cutting wood and got a grumbly belly and had to take care of business fast and while doing the deed I looked over and see a camera. Must be a trespasser so I'm going to take it, before they can get the pictures".
Anyways, I go down to his house and it is a cell camera. I explain how the cell cams work and that somebody has a pic on their email already and I am losing it. LOL.
A few weeks later, a friend of the neighbor's grandson comes to his house and asks for his camera back. Ed said you could tell the kid had seen more than he wanted to see. Ed also said he forgot he had given the kid permission to hunt and hadn't thought about the camera being the kid's. LOL!!! (I'm sitting here now just rolling!!) Ed passed away in Dec....man, that dude was funny!
Will attempt to post a favorite picture that won't resize. This coyote really wanted his picture taken.
Quote from: Bowguy on April 01, 2024, 07:59:20 AM
Best thing to prevent stolen cameras imo is not use one. I've never had one stolen yet. Involve yourself in the sport. Attend the event
Yea same with guns. Don't own any and they won't get stolen from you. Right?
Please post in the forum's new ELITE section. :drool: ;D :blob10:
No Elitist Section? Start one and about six others could spend their time patting each other on the back and whining for the good day's Really pathetic at times.
I won the elite call raffle at the national convention....does that make me an elitist. Is there a link to that forum?
Quote from: joey46 on April 02, 2024, 02:00:46 PM
Please post in the forum's new ELITE section. :drool: ;D :blob10:
No Elitist Section? Start one and about six others could spend their time patting each other on the back and whining for the good day's Really pathetic at times.
For the record I think that guy doublelung is being sarcastic and should not be directed towards the elitist section. Ask me any time Joey of you're having trouble I'll translate for you what people are actually saying. :icon_thumright:
Cabin fever season again?